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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining